Last month, we established that you do, in fact, need a wine cellar to safely store your valuable vintages. On to the exciting project of designing the perfect underground wine cellar and tasting room! Let’s explore some of the design elements and features you’ll want to discuss with your expert consultant.
Location
Identify the best portion of your basement (or underground garage) to convert to the ideal wine cellar or wine bar. Your consultant will advise you on the need to seal the concrete floor and install a vapor barrier. Remember to plan your stylish seating area and possibly a state-of-the-art sound system for those wine-tasting gatherings. Consider wine-themed furniture, such as wine barrel tables and chairs.
Climate Control
While basements tend to be naturally cooler environments, they may not provide the necessary temperature and humidity conditions your wines require. Wine cooling systems offer complete climate control, although an auxiliary humidifier may be needed if your basement is overly dry. Your designer will skillfully work these units into your design to maintain the esthetics of your space.
Lighting
Of course, you want to choose the best lighting for practicality as well as ambiance. Consider high-end lamps, dimming overhead lights, and built-in lighting to create the perfect atmosphere. Or go all out with a stunning chandelier! A word of caution—to preserve their quality, wines should not be exposed to direct light or UV rays. Avoid Incandescent, fluorescent, and halogen lighting. Rely on your consultant to advise you.
Wine Storage
Wine should always be stored horizontally to prevent the cork from drying out. That said, you have a number of options to choose from including wall mounted metal racks, custom wood racks, stainless steel or wooden pegs, and wine cabinets. Wine cabinets resemble pieces of furniture and offer a wide range of design choices to suit nearly any esthetic. Remember that bottles should be stored individually to keep them from bumping each other and to ensure that you can remove a single bottle without jostling its neighbors.
Flooring
Never install carpeting in your wine cellars as it is prone to mold and mildew. Instead, explore gorgeous hardwood, hand painted tile, custom stonework, or classic marble for your cellar floor.”
Wine Cellar Door
The door to your w he interior. It should be heavy and fully insulated. Glass doors should be double paned with exterior-grade insulation.
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